The Milwaukee Bucks are set to play the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, hoping to get back in the win column after their frustrating 114-113 loss to the Washington Wizards earlier this week. At 14-20 on the season, the Bucks need to stack wins quickly so that they are not completely out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture before too long.
Fortunately for Milwaukee, two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has been declared available for tonight’s game after suddenly popping up on the injury report. As fans are aware, the Greek Freak missed eight games in December with a right calf injury, and his presence on the injury report was related to managing that ailment.
Over the course of his career, Giannis has averages of 21.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 40 games against the Hornets.
Here are his top-five performances.
October 23, 2017; Bucks 103, Hornets 94
This particular win helped the 2017 Bucks improved to 3-1 on the season. Giannis, joined by Khris Middleton, Thon Maker, Tony Snell, and Matthew Dellavedova in the starting lineup, had 32 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and two blocks.
Middleton was second on the team with 20 points.
January 25, 2019; Bucks 108, Hornets 99
Giannis and Middleton started this game alongside Brook Lopez, Eric Bledsoe, and Malcolm Brogdon. The Greek Freak, on his way to his first NBA MVP award, scored 34 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out three assists.
He also had three blocks and three steals.
The team sure needed each and every one of Giannis’ points, too, as well as those of the other starters because the bench combined for just four in that game.
December 1, 2021; Bucks 127, Hornets 125
This game, of course, came during the season in which Milwaukee won its first NBA Championship in 50 years. It was also a contest that saw the Bucks trail by 16 points at the end of the first quarter, but come back to win based on strong second-half play.
For his part, Giannis had an incredible performance with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.
January 8, 2022; Bucks 106, Hornets 114
The Bucks may have lost this game, but they were also playing without starters Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, and Grayson Allen. Giannis did all he could, putting up 43 points (his career-high against Charlotte), 12 rebounds, and three assists.
Middleton (27) and Bobby Portis (19) were the only other Bucks players who recorded double-digit point totals.
March 1, 2020; Bucks 93, Hornets 85
Mar 1, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) goes up for a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
This particular win, right before the world shut down due to COVID-19, improved Milwaukee’s record to 52-8 on the season. Giannis, on his way to a second straight NBA MVP Award, poured in 41 points to go with 20 rebounds, six assists, and a steal.
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